Here’s the scoop on the 2025–26 Kentucky vs. Louisville rivalry:
—
What’s new this year?
Tip off date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville .
Record timing: This marks the earliest-ever matchup in the series’ history—and only the third to occur in November (previously in 1983 and 1993) .
—
️ Season context
The game opens the regular season for both teams, coming just one week before Kentucky faces Michigan State in the Champions Classic on November 18 .
Kentucky is set to begin the season officially on November 3, with a preseason exhibition vs. Purdue on October 24 .
—
Why the early scheduling?
Kentucky coach Mark Pope teased that such unusual scheduling happens because “scheduling gets increasingly complicated” and joked the early date was “surely Louisville’s fault” .
No official explanation has been provided, but it’s part of what is shaping up to be one of the toughest early-season slates for the Wildcats .
—
Quick historical note
The Kentucky–Louisville rivalry is one of college basketball’s most storied rivalries. The 2025 game on Nov 11 breaks the series’ usual late-December/January timing, cracking open the season for both teams with an intense in-state showdown .
—
✅ TL;DR
Detail Info
️ Date Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Venue KFC Yum! Center, Louisville
Significance Earliest game in series history
—
Want to know more—tip-off time, TV channel, or discussion on how this early rivalry could impact tournament positioning? Just say the word!
